A year later, catcher Castro gets his chance

Jason Castro arrived at Minute Maid Park six hours before the Astros’ 2012 season opener.

Business as usual, in that Castro is in the routine of arriving six hours before game time to begin his preparations.

Business as unusual, in that Castro made the first opening-day start of his career Friday in a 5-3 defeat to the Colorado Rockies. Better a year late than never for Castro, who missed the 2011 season because of a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee.

“It’s a big accomplishment for me personally to have gone through all that, persevered and got back to where I need to be to be able play every day,” Castro said. “I’m really happy with the way rehab went. I can’t really have asked for it to have gone any better.

“It was great to get back out on the field. Spring training is part of that, but to be back on the field where it counts was most exciting for me.”

He could have asked for return a little more on the storybook side. Castro went 0-for-2 with two walks, had three stolen bases on his watch and committed a throwing error that allowed the go-ahead run to score in the eighth inning. The throwing error came moments after Castro zipped a throw in time to nail pinch runner Eric Young, only to have shortstop Marwin Gonzalez miss a swipe tag.

An awaited return

Castro and Gonzalez were two of five Astros position players making their first opening-day start, joined by left fielder J.D. Martinez, right fielder Brian Bogusevic and second baseman Jose Altuve. The average age of the five is 24, with none of them taking a route into the lineup as harrowing as Castro’s.

A first-round draft choice in 2008, Castro had been penciled in as the 2011 starter. He blew out his right knee in the first week of spring training games and was recuperating from reconstructive surgery when the Astros opened 2011 on the road against the Philadelphia Phillies. While the Astros were coughing up a late lead that set the tone for a 56-106 season, Castro was in a Houston hotel room watching on television. His knee was hooked up to a continuous passive motion device, his future uncertain.

“It wasn’t much fun, for sure,” Castro said. “It’s a pretty brutal recovery for anybody. It was tough. It was tough to have to be in that situation to watch. But I’m back now, and that’s all I want to focus on.”

Misses the swipe tag

So there Castro was at Minute Maid Park early Friday, watching video of Rockies hitters and of starting pitcher Jeremy Guthrie. The score was tied at three when a leadoff single by Rockies catcher Ramon Hernandez in the eighth prompted Rockies manager Jim Tracy to call on pinch runner Eric Young, who swiped second when Gonzalez missed the tag. Young got caught between second and third when Castro pounced on a 1-2 curveball in the dirt by Astros reliever Fernando Rodriguez. Castro zipped a throw toward second base that sailed past Gonzalez, allowing Young to score and give the Rockies a 4-3 lead.

“He took a hard step and turned around (toward third base),” Castro said. “Him being as fast as he is, he probably would have been safe regardless. It’s one of those plays that was tough. In that situation, I had to make a decision pretty much in the blink of any eye. I tried to get him at second, and unfortunately we didn’t get him there.”

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Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) high-fives teammates as the teams are introduced before the start of the Astros season opener against the Colorado Rockies.

Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) high-fives teammates as the teams are introduced before the start of the Astros season opener against the Colorado Rockies.

Photo: Houston Chronicle

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Fan Jon Lamb, with Lance Berkman's name on his Houston Astros jersey covered with a piece of paper reading "Who?" in a humorous reference to the Astros roster of young unknowns, cheers a single by first baseman Carlos Lee that scored Jose Altuve with the first run of the season as he watches from section 418. less

Fan Jon Lamb, with Lance Berkman's name on his Houston Astros jersey covered with a piece of paper reading "Who?" in a humorous reference to the Astros roster of young unknowns, cheers a single by first ... more

Photo: Houston Chronicle

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Colorado Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki rounds third base after his home run during the ninth inning of the Astros season opener.

Colorado Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki rounds third base after his home run during the ninth inning of the Astros season opener.

Photo: Houston Chronicle

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Astros players families watch from the field as fireworks explode over the stadium after the Astros season opener.

Astros players families watch from the field as fireworks explode over the stadium after the Astros season opener.

Photo: Houston Chronicle

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Maribel Cruz, 6, plays on a stature of former Houston Astros first baseman Jeff Bagwell during the 11th Annual Opening Day Street Festival.

Maribel Cruz, 6, plays on a stature of former Houston Astros first baseman Jeff Bagwell during the 11th Annual Opening Day Street Festival.

Photo: Houston Chronicle

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Houston Astros fans cheeron pinch hitter Travis Buck to take a second base on a double during the ninth inning.

Houston Astros fans cheeron pinch hitter Travis Buck to take a second base on a double during the ninth inning.

Photo: Houston Chronicle

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Houston Astros team president George Postolos cheers in the seats during the ninth inning.

Houston Astros team president George Postolos cheers in the seats during the ninth inning.

Photo: Houston Chronicle

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Colorado Rockies left fielder Eric Young Jr. scores from second on a throwing error by Houston Astros catcher Jason Castro to break open a tied game during the eight inning inning.

Colorado Rockies left fielder Eric Young Jr. scores from second on a throwing error by Houston Astros catcher Jason Castro to break open a tied game during the eight inning inning.

Photo: Houston Chronicle

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Houston Astros starting pitcher Wandy Rodriguez tips his cap to the crowd as he leaves the game during the seventh inning.

Houston Astros starting pitcher Wandy Rodriguez tips his cap to the crowd as he leaves the game during the seventh inning.

Photo: Houston Chronicle

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Fans cheer for Astros starting pitcher Wandy Rodriguez as he comes off the field.

Fans cheer for Astros starting pitcher Wandy Rodriguez as he comes off the field.

Photo: Houston Chronicle

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Astros starting pitcher Wandy Rodriguez gets a pat on the back from manager Brad Mills after leaving the game.

Astros starting pitcher Wandy Rodriguez gets a pat on the back from manager Brad Mills after leaving the game.

Photo: Houston Chronicle

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Colorado Rockies first baseman Todd Helton dives for a ball hit by Astros right fielder Brian Bogusevic during the sixth inning.

Colorado Rockies first baseman Todd Helton dives for a ball hit by Astros right fielder Brian Bogusevic during the sixth inning.

Photo: Houston Chronicle

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Houston Astros first baseman Carlos Lee (45) celebrates with Chris Johnson after hitting a home run.

Houston Astros first baseman Carlos Lee (45) celebrates with Chris Johnson after hitting a home run.

Photo: Houston Chronicle

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Former President George H.W. Bush looks on as Barbara Bush waves toward Clay Walker as he sings "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" during the seventh inning stretch.

Former President George H.W. Bush looks on as Barbara Bush waves toward Clay Walker as he sings "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" during the seventh inning stretch.

Photo: Houston Chronicle

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Fans in the Crawford Boxes reach for a home run ball hit by Houston Astros first baseman Carlos Lee during the fourth inning.

Fans in the Crawford Boxes reach for a home run ball hit by Houston Astros first baseman Carlos Lee during the fourth inning.

Photo: Houston Chronicle

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Colorado Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki rounds the bases after hitting a home run off of Houston Astros relief pitcher Fernando Abad during ninth inning.

Colorado Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki rounds the bases after hitting a home run off of Houston Astros relief pitcher Fernando Abad during ninth inning.

Photo: Houston Chronicle

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Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) tries to apply the tag to Colorado Rockies first baseman Todd Helton (17) as he steals second base during the third inning.

Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) tries to apply the tag to Colorado Rockies first baseman Todd Helton (17) as he steals second base during the third inning.

Photo: Houston Chronicle

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Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) tries to apply the tag to Colorado Rockies first baseman Todd Helton (17) as he steals second base during the third inning.

Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) tries to apply the tag to Colorado Rockies first baseman Todd Helton (17) as he steals second base during the third inning.

Photo: Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle

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Colorado Rockies catcher Wilin Rosario (20) celebrates after Houston Astros pinch hitter Matt Downs stuck out to end the game with a 5-3 Rockies victory.

Colorado Rockies catcher Wilin Rosario (20) celebrates after Houston Astros pinch hitter Matt Downs stuck out to end the game with a 5-3 Rockies victory.

Photo: Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle

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Houston Astros first baseman Carlos Lee waits in the on-deck circle as J.D. Martinez bats during the sixth inning.

Houston Astros first baseman Carlos Lee waits in the on-deck circle as J.D. Martinez bats during the sixth inning.

Photo: Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle

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Houston Astros fans don rally caps during the ninth inning.

Houston Astros fans don rally caps during the ninth inning.

Photo: Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle

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Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) celebrate with Chris Johnson after scoring on a single by Carlos Lee during the first inning.

Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) celebrate with Chris Johnson after scoring on a single by Carlos Lee during the first inning.

Photo: Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle

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A vendor sells popcorn in the upper deck during the first inning of the Astros season opener.

A vendor sells popcorn in the upper deck during the first inning of the Astros season opener.

Photo: Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle

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Houston Astros starting pitcher Wandy Rodriguez delivers a pitch during the first inning.

Houston Astros starting pitcher Wandy Rodriguez delivers a pitch during the first inning.

Photo: Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle

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Houston Astros center fielder Jordan Schafer makes a diving catch on a line drive by Colorado Rockies second baseman Marco Scutaro during the first inning.

Houston Astros center fielder Jordan Schafer makes a diving catch on a line drive by Colorado Rockies second baseman Marco Scutaro during the first inning.

Photo: Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle

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Houston Astros center fielder Jordan Schafer makes a diving catch on a line drive by Colorado Rockies second baseman Marco Scutaro during the first inning.

Houston Astros center fielder Jordan Schafer makes a diving catch on a line drive by Colorado Rockies second baseman Marco Scutaro during the first inning.

Photo: Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle

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Houston Astros owner Jim Crane prepares to throw out a ceremonial first pitch before the start of the Astros season opener.

Houston Astros owner Jim Crane prepares to throw out a ceremonial first pitch before the start of the Astros season opener.

Photo: Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle

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Former Astros, from left Jimmy Wynn, Larry Dierker and Jose Cruz are introduced to the crowd before the start of the Astros season opener.

Former Astros, from left Jimmy Wynn, Larry Dierker and Jose Cruz are introduced to the crowd before the start of the Astros season opener.

Photo: Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle

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Houston Astros fans cheer as Clay Walker finishes up the national anthem before the game.

Houston Astros fans cheer as Clay Walker finishes up the national anthem before the game.

Photo: Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle

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Members of the Astros ownership group stand for the national anthem.

Members of the Astros ownership group stand for the national anthem.

Photo: Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle

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Clay Walker performs the national anthem.

Clay Walker performs the national anthem.

Photo: Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle

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Clay Walker autographs a fan's t-shirt after sining during the seventh inning stretch.

Clay Walker autographs a fan's t-shirt after sining during the seventh inning stretch.

Photo: Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle

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Houston Astros broadcaster Milo Hamilto waves to the crowd before the start of the game.

Houston Astros broadcaster Milo Hamilto waves to the crowd before the start of the game.

Photo: Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle

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Houston Astros left fielder J.D. Martinez (14) makes way for the Budweiser Clydesdale to enter the stadium.

Houston Astros left fielder J.D. Martinez (14) makes way for the Budweiser Clydesdale to enter the stadium.

Photo: Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle

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Houston Astros right fielder Brian Bogusevic races across the baseline as the teams take the field.

Houston Astros right fielder Brian Bogusevic races across the baseline as the teams take the field.

Photo: Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle

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Houston Astros pitcher Lucas Harrell signs autographs before the start of the Astros season opener.

Houston Astros pitcher Lucas Harrell signs autographs before the start of the Astros season opener.

Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve receives cheers from the fans as he addresses a pep rally before the game.

Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve receives cheers from the fans as he addresses a pep rally before the game.

Photo: Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle

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Bret Hann of Clear Lake City comes through the gates with a bag of snacks from home. A new food and beverage policy for this season now allows fans to bring food and water into Minute Maid Park for Astros games. less

Bret Hann of Clear Lake City comes through the gates with a bag of snacks from home. A new food and beverage policy for this season now allows fans to bring food and water into Minute Maid Park for Astros ... more

Photo: Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle

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Fans reach for a ball hit into the Crawford Boxes during batting practice.

Fans reach for a ball hit into the Crawford Boxes during batting practice.